Initial registrations of used passenger cars imported from abroad in 2025 increased by 22% compared to 2024, reaching 278,630 units, according to the Automotive Market Research Institute.
The annual import rating is headed by the unchanged leader — Volkswagen (37,200 cars), which, according to experts, offers everything from budget options to premium crossovers, as well as buses and vans.
“Audi (25,900) ranks second, which indicates Ukrainians’ high demand for comfort and status,” the Institute’s website says.
At the same time, it is noted that the main event of the year was Tesla’s entry into the top three with 24,140 cars registered.
“The purely electric brand surpassed many traditional competitors, becoming a symbol of the ‘green’ craze of 2025,” the report states.
The top five are rounded out by Nissan (21,600) and Renault (almost 17,000), which maintain their positions thanks to a combination of popular electric cars and practical diesel cars from Europe.
Next in the top ten brands are BMW, Hyundai, Ford, KIA, and Skoda.
Experts note that Volkswagen Golf retained its leadership in the model ranking (10,670), but its lead over its competitors is minimal (and not without the help of e-Golf).
The main competitor is the Tesla Model Y (10,550), and third place goes to the Tesla Model (9,200). Fourth in the ranking is the Skoda Octavia (7,700), and fifth is the Nissan Leaf (7,500).
“As for premium models, last year the Ukrainian car fleet was replenished with Porsche (1,265 units), Maserati (97), Lamborghini (21), Rolls-Royce (17), and the same number of Bentley, Ferrari (8), Aston Martin (6), and one McLaren,” the report says.
Experts report that in December last year, 41,700 used imported foreign cars were submitted for first registration, which is almost 2.7 times more than in December 2024 and 75.3% more than in November 2025.
The report notes that since the beginning of 2025, import volumes have gradually increased: from 14,500 cars in January to almost 42,000 in December.
“The last time such volumes of ”freshly imported“ cars were seen was in 2022, during the temporary ”zero customs clearance” period. Now, this activity has been caused by the ‘race for electric cars’, as VAT on their import was introduced on January 1,” experts note, stating that this is why Tesla is among the top three leaders.
“Overall, we have seen a 22% increase in imports over the year, but it should be understood that a significant portion of these cars were purchased ‘in advance’. We have actually taken a portion of sales in 2026, so now the warehouses are full, and there will be no such rush in the coming months,” Stanislav Buchatsky, head of the Automotive Market Research Institute, is quoted as saying in the report.
